Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman will take the oath as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, along with elected MPs, on Tuesday, as politics in Dhaka enters a new dawn following PM Sheikh Hasina's ouster in 2024.

Tarique Rahman, son of former PM, the late Khaleda Zia, led the BNP to a landslide victory in the general elections after returning from a 17-year exile.

India-Bangladesh relations

With the fall of Hasina in 2024, there were speculations that the relations between India and Bangladesh would collapse. Gradually, it was clear that India’s sentiments were right. Under the interim-chief Muhammad Yunus government, the relations were as low as Pakistan. Sometimes, relations with Islamabad seem better than with Dhaka when Hindus were killed mercilessly.

However, it is expected that things are going to change from today on amid Rahman’s soft approach towards New Delhi. His speeches signalled that Dhaka wants to pursue trade, not conflict.

ALSO READ: Khaleda Zia Govt Did Attempt To Deepen India-Bangladesh Ties; What Should Tarique Rahman Learn From His Mother?

What India expects from Traique Rahman

Why India should not be worried about Tarique Rahman''s leadership?

It is worth mentioning that the 60-year-old BNP leader’s rise to power is not considered a source of immediate concern for India. This is due to a shift towards a pragmatic, "Bangladesh-first" foreign policy, rather than anti-India posturing. During a press briefing after securing victory, he hinted at a balanced approach towards New Delhi.

1. While the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) historically had a strained relationship with New Delhi, several factors have led to a more cautious and optimistic outlook.

2. In his speeches, Rahman has signalled that his foreign policy will prioritise Bangladesh's national interests and economic development over ideology, moving away from a previous, more hostile stance.

ALSO READ: Can India Rebuild Ties With Bangladesh? After Hasina's Fall And Rahman's Rise, What The Political Reset Means

3. Unlike Yunus, Rahman is pursuing a balanced approach towards India, Pakistan and China. He is focusing on diplomatic ties with all regional partners to suit Bangladesh's economic needs.

4. Besides, BNP’s 31-point poll agenda focuses heavily on the digital domain and infrastructure building, areas where cooperation with India is beneficial.

5. Although Rahman previously engaged in an "India Out" campaign, recent rhetoric has turned softer, focusing on "mutual respect and understanding".

6. Following the BNP's landslide victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi quickly congratulated Rahman, indicating India's willingness to re-engage with the new leadership.

7. Rahman has indicated a desire to manage issues such as border security and to ensure the safety of minorities, which are top concerns for India.

ALSO READ: India-Bangladesh Ties: PM Modi's 3 Words On Tarique Rahman's Victory: A Worry Or An Opportunity For New Delhi? Inside Story

8. The return to an elected government under the BNP brings a sense of predictability and stability to Bangladesh, which India prefers over the volatility of the previous 17-month interim period.

9. Geographical and economic realities necessitate cooperation. Bangladesh is India's largest trading partner in South Asia, and both countries share a 4,000 km border, making estrangement impractical for both sides.

10. India views the BNP as a more moderate, democratic option compared to the more ideologically rigid, Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, which secured the position of main opposition.

(With inputs from agency)